Traverse City
The Traverse City area on the western coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is known for its glacier-carved landscape, clear blue waters and popularity with golfers. The area is home to 17 golf courses, all within an hour’s drive of downtown Traverse City and some of which were designed in part by golf legends such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
The city is also a popular hub for groups who want to explore Michigan’s lighthouses. Four of the seven lighthouses in the area — Grand Traverse, Mission Point, Point Betsie and South Manitou Island — are historic structures open to tours.
The nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan is a fantastic stop for nature lovers. Miles of sandy bluffs overlook the shores of Lake Michigan, creating stunning views of the rich blue waters. Rangers can take groups on tours throughout the park and guide special snowshoe tours in the winter months.
www.traversecity.com
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in Michigan, located on the northern edge of the Upper Peninsula. The U.S. city shares a border with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Nearby Tahquamenon Falls is a popular attraction. The falls are some of the largest east of the Mississippi, second only to Niagara Falls. The Tahquamenon Upper Fall is more than 200 feet wide and drops nearly 50 feet into the Tahquamenon River. The falls produce a large amount of foam because of the softness of the water and the large amount of water spilling over the falls: nearly 50,000 gallons per second. Groups can see this spectacular sight from the overlook at the crest, accessible by a short walk from the parking area.
The city is also known for the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, where divers can see many well-preserved shipwrecks. For groups who don’t want to venture underwater, an alternative is the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. At the museum, groups can learn about the stories behind the shipwrecks and the maritime history of the area.
www.saultstemarie.com
Copper Harbor
Groups visiting Copper Harbor on the northernmost point of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will be rewarded with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the state.
Travelers can take a lake cruise across Lake Superior to Isle Royale National Park on the Canadian border, which is on the largest island on the lake and one of only two island national parks in the nation. Rangers offer various guided tours and programs around the park, including the popular walking tour of the Edison Fishery and Rock Harbor Lighthouse during the summer season.
Brockway Mountain is another popular destination around Copper Harbor. After a beautiful scenic drive up the mountain, visitors will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of Lake Superior reaching as far as Isle Royale, 50 miles away. The mountain is also a spectacular spot for stargazing on clear nights, with plenty of stars and the Milky Way visible from the peak; Brockway Mountain is also Michigan’s best place to view the northern lights.
www.keweenaw.info
